Month: February 2020

Faith

Unexpected Blessings

renewalandrefugewithstella

This morning was much like any other. I rose early, showered, prepared breakfast, and set off to begin a long list of errands. The rainy weather did little to brighten the mood and I just kept checking things off on my mental “to do” list. Little did I know that God was about to intervene and give me a most unexpected blessing.

One of my errands was to run by the elementary school where I used to work. I have become the “fairy godmother” for the first grade and make it a point to prepare goodie bags for each holiday. Today was the day I was to drop off the Valentine goodies for their party next week.

I walked into the front office and was greeted with several “look who is here” comments. I presented them with my boxes of goodies and prepared to exit and continue on my way, when a voice from the principal’s office called, “Miss Stella!”

Apparently today was community read aloud day and one of the readers had forgotten about it, causing a shortage. The principal went on to ask if I was in a hurry and then, “Would you mind reading to a class?” I knew that I could make a little bit of time so I agreed. I took the book that I was assigned and flipped through it randomly to prepare myself, since it was a new story to me.

When I arrived at the classroom door and knocked, the teacher greeted me with, “I didn’t expect YOU! Come on in!”

Some of the students remembered me and greeted me with Hello! I proceeded to introduce the book and begin reading.

The next thirty minutes or so were filled with laughter, burps (that is part of the story), questions, answers, and lots of fun! I had slipped right back into my teacher mode as though I had never left. It felt SO GOOD!

I returned the book to the office before leaving and then headed down the long walk to my car. In my mind I said, “Thank you Lord for unexpected blessings!” It was so good to be back in the role that God had prepared me for. I always loved working with students; that was what had kept me in the classroom for 31 years. I know that God has plans for me to continue to use my talents with children; I only have to watch and wait for that opportunity to present itself. Today was just his way of reminding me!

(Oh, in case you wondered, this was the book that I read today.)

Rodeo Ron

If you have young children and you are not familiar with this book, you should really go to the library and check it out! It ties in lots of elements: colors, good dietary habits, dental health, and just a really good story!

 

Crafting Fun, Family

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree

renewalandrefugewithstella

I really wanted to share my latest “Make It” project, especially since it was actually a shared project.

My sweet daughter and my son-in-law moved into their home last year. Since then, they have been working to do little things that would make it more of their own.

One of their first purchases was a cute little table for their dining room. They also received a set of upholstered benches to use with it. They are using a lot of blues in their new home and, while shopping recently, daughter and I found the perfect blue cloth to reupholster the benches!

Last week we finally had time to get together and do the project.

Here is a side view and top view of one of the benches before:

The hardest part of the whole thing was getting the staples out that were holding the fabric to the wooden seat. They were a bit rusty and they were the same color as the brown tones in the fabric, so it was rather difficult to see them.

Here is a side view and top view of one of the benches after our transformation:

The corners were not perfect, but the benches sure were more comfortable and they looked SO MUCH better!

The best part of the project was actually sharing it with my daughter. She has definitely inherited my love of re-doing things! I was also a bit surprised to see how handy she was with power tools. She did not hesitate to reach for her hubby’s electric drill to screw and unscrew the bench tops from the supporting legs. I always just use the plain old screwdriver!

While watching her work I managed to snap this photo.

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While working on this part of the project she said, “Papaw would be proud of me, using these power tools.” Yes, he would my dear! I am proud of you too. You are becoming a handy young woman who is not afraid to tackle new projects to put her own special touch on her home! I cannot wait to see what project she comes up with next for us to make together!

Faith

When Life Gets Tough

renewalandrefugewithstella

Today has been one of “those days”.

While working to complete a baby quilt that a friend had ordered my sewing machine stopped working. I tried to repair it, but was not having any luck, so I decided to take a lunch break instead and fix it later.

I had a hair appointment this afternoon and needed to go by my part time job to turn in my time sheet. When the time came for me to leave I could NOT find my keys anywhere. I traced my steps from the entire day with no luck. Knowing that I would probably not make the appointment, I called and cancelled, telling them that I would schedule another one for next week. Within ten minutes, guess what? I found my keys, but it was too late; I had already cancelled. I did however make it to the office to turn in my time sheet.

When I got home I cooked supper and waited for my hubby to get home. We ate and then I somewhat cleaned the kitchen. Then I sat down to once again work on the sewing machine. Screws dropped down inside as I tried to reassemble it, started sewing only to discover that it STILL was not right and I had to take out all of my work. It literally took 2 hours straight of assembling, disassembling, cleaning, and trial and error to get the machine working as it should.

Life can get tough! Through all of these misadventures I found myself praying. “Lord, please help me get this machine working.” “Lord, please help me find my keys.” “Lord, please help this dog stop whining for attention so that I can get this quilt done.”

Psalm 37:3-6 says:

3 Trust in the Lord and do good.

    Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
    Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
    and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

I know that my problems today are minimal compared to the suffering that many people are going through, but the wonderful thing is that God is there for ALL OF US- and ALL of our troubles. We only have to ask for his help and trust that he will help us- no matter the problem!